Machine for applying reenforcing filaments to fabrics



C. H. HOWARD ET AL MACHINE FOR APPLYING 'REE NFORCING FILAMENTS TO FABRICS Filed April 26, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 9, 1

c. H. HOWARD ET AL MACHINE FOR APPLYING REENFORCING FILAMENTS TO FABRICS Filed April 26, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 In Verifier.

Dec. 9, 1924- 1,518,512

C.'H. HOWARD ET AL MACHiNE FOR APPLYING REENFORCING FILAMENTS TO FABRICS Filed April 26, 1921 5 She'bs-Sheet 4 M ##WA Dec. 9, 1

C. H. HOWARD ET AL MACHINE FOR APPLYING REENFORCING FILAMENTS T0 FABRICS Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

'UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. HOWARD, OF SAUGUS, AND LEWIS SHARP, OF NORTH ATTLEBOBO, IASSA- CHUSE'I'IS, ASSIGNOBS '1'0 PAPER PRODUCTS MACHINE COMPANY, 01 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF IIASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING REENFORCING FILAHENTS 'IO FABRICS- Application filed April 28, 1921. Serial No. 464,864.

T all whom may concern:

Be it known that we, CHAnLrs H. How- ,ARD and LEWIS SHARP, a citizen of the Uni-ted States, and subject of the King of Great Britain, respectively, residing at Saugus,in the county of Essex, and North Attleboro, county of Bristol, and State of Massachusetts, respectively, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Applyin Reenforcing Filaments to Fabrics, of whic the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to machines for reenforcing fabrics by filaments, and more particularly to filaments running transversely thereof. The filaments may be of various kinds, but the advantages of the present invention are more particularly observable with reference to the application of unspun fibres to the fabric to be reinforced. Various kinds of unspun fibres may be "used,--preferably of long staple, such, for

example, as sisal, flax, ramie, hemp and other forms of fibres, but it will be understood that in certain aspects the invention is not limited thereto.

The unspun fibres are usually prepared in rovings or sliver form. That is, the fibres are .reclaimed from the Woody material which naturally adheres to them, or other undesirable foreign substance, and are then formed into long untwisted ropings, or rovings or slivers. The term roving will hereinafter be used to designate these untwisted ropings of fibres, and while the term will have more particularly in view such ropings of fibres of long staple, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its use to the reenforcing of fabric with long fibres, and that fibres of various lengths may be employed.

One of the problems presented inappl ing the fibres of rovings to the fabric to s reinforced, is the difiiculty experienced in laying the fibres in an economically thin sheet and in parallel relation on the fabric to be reinforced.

One good form of machine for accomplishing this is disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 391,433, filed June 24, 1920. In this machine the fibres of the rovings are flattened or made into sheet-like form, and

then the sheet of fibres is attenuated, and the.

fibres are adhesively secured to the surface of the fabric or paper in substantial parallelism. Since the mechanism to be used in the present invention for flattening the rovings into sheet-like form and attenuating the same into a thin sheet for application to the fabric or paper, may be similar to the mechanism of our application referred to,

- it is unnecessary to disclose features of this mechanism in detail herein, but it will sufiice to show so much thereof as may be necessary to an understanding of the co-operation of the novel features of the present invention therewith.

After the fibres have been preliminarily prepared, that is, drawn out into sheet form in substantial parallelism, it has been a great problem to apply the filaments transversely to the fabric or paper to be reinforced in a commercially practicable manner. That is, with the re uisite speed for commercial pur poses and t e production of a good, satisfacto product. 1

An important object of the present invention, therefore is to provide efficient means for applying the sheet of unspun filaments transversely to the paper or fabric to be reinforced, that is, with the lengths of the filaments extending transversely to the fabric to be reinforced. I

An effective means to this end has found its response in a comb or transfer device which is preferably disposed between the feeding means for the sheet of filaments and the path of travel of the fabric or act to be reinforced. This device is adap to take the fibres from the feeding means and carry the same in sheet form transversely to the fabric to be reinforced and into position to apply across the fabric sections of fibres that are severed from the source of supply into len hs substantially equal to the widthof the abric to be reinforced. When the fibres have been carried transversely to the the same out away from the teeth or pins of sheets of fabric or paper, and in adhesive engagement therewith. In the present instance, the fibres are applied to an adhesive placed between the sheets, and the fibres are confined between the two sheets and embedded in the adhesive.

Various novel features and new combina- "tion of parts willbe hereinafter described in connection with the accompan ing drawings which illustrate one go practical form or embodiment of the invention, it being understood that the details may be varied within wide limits, without departing from the invention defined by the claims.

In the drawings r Fig. 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of a machine embodyin the apparatus of the resent invention;

T ig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a view partly in side elevation and partly in secicn of a ortion of the machine for supplying the laments which are to be app ied transversely to the fabric;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the doifing device in one position- Fi 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing t e doiiing device in a different position;

ig. 5 on an enlar ed scale is a vertical longitudinal section s owing the mechanism for severing the filaments at proper lengths for application transversely to the fabric, and showing a portion of the comb for transferring the filaments from the feeding means to the fabric; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a ortion of the mechanism for severing the fi aments into redetermined lengths and for applyingrt e filaments transversely to the fabric.

be present invention will be described more particularly with reference to the reinforcement of paper or paper strips by the application of-te unspun fibres thereto, but it will be understood that the character of the fabric to be reinforced may be varied,

and that the adhesive which is applied to the surface of the pa r or fabric may be asphaltum or any suitable composition or mixture.

The machine frame maybe appropriately constructed to support the operate parts, and in the present instance, comprises the side frame 1 (Fig. 1) which may be tied togather by the usual cross ties or struts for bracing the side frames.

i The fabric or paper which is to be reinforced, ma be taken from a suitable supply of any desired character, but in the present instance, the pa r is taken from a roll and moved longitudlnally through suitable uiding and directing means as the unspun bres are delivered thereto. As stated, sometimes it may be desirable to have the fibres cuclosed between a plurality of sheets or strips of paper. In the present instance of the invention, the machine frame comprises end supports 3 on which are suitably mounted the paper rolls 5 and 7 from which the paper to be reinforced is drawn.

The pa er from the roll 5 passes over guide rol s 9 and 11 mounted in suitable sup orts, and then between rolls 13 and 15, the atter of which dips into a tank 17 which extends transversely of the frame and contains an adhesive. In the resent instance, the adhesive is black aspha tum whichmay be kept in a heated condition by suitable circulating pipes for steam or other media. As the paper strip from the roll 5, which may be identified as the paper strip a, passes between the rolls 13 and 15, a coating of adhesive is applied to one surface thereof.

Then the paper strip" a passes about a paper feed roll 19 and beneath a s ring-pressed roll 20, said rolls being carri by supports rising from the machine frame. The pa er feed rolls 19 and '20 inay be geared toget er,

and may be driven from any suitable source of power, as by belting connection with an overhead or line shaft. The upper roll 20 may be heated by usual roll heating means. Where a second strip of paper or fabric is to overlie the first strip, such as the strip of pa r or fabric 6, it is passed about guide rol s 21 and 23 supported by the uprights 25 rising from the machine frame, and then the paper strip. passes between the rolls 27 and 29', the latter of which dips into a tank 31 containing an adhesive which, in. the present instance, is black asghaltum, preferably kept in a heated con ition by suitable circulating pipes for steam or other media. The rolls 27 and 29 and the tank 81 may be carried by uprights 33 mounted on the side frames of the machine.

The upper roll 13 may be adjusted relatively to its companion roll 15 by screws 35 connected to the journal boxes for the roll 13, and the upper roll 27 may be adjusted relatively to its companion roll 29 by screws 39 connected to the journal boxes for the upper roll 27. The construction is such that the thickness of the adhesive coating may be varied as desired.

The second strip or sheet of paper or 'fabric 6 may be led about the upper roll 27 over a guide roll 43 carried by brackets 45 on the uprights 2 and said strip mav extend downward and be adhesivel'y united between the ni of a metal roll 47 and arubber surface roll 49 carried by the up rights 25 referred to, and may be led about the roll 47 and around a rubber surfaced roll 51 mounted in the uprights 25. The. two strips may be led thence to and be wound on a take-up roll 53 mounted on the uprights 3 referred to, said take-up roll being driven by any suitable means,

A. yielding and adjustable pressure may be exerted upon the rolls 47' and 51 by coil springs 55 confined between the journal boxes for the roll 51 and adjusting screws 57 The rolls 47, 49 and 51 may be geared together if desired, and one of them may be driven from an overhead line shaft by belting, as will be readily understood.

The means thus far described pertains more particularly to the fabric or paper feeding mechanism, and the means for applying adhesive thereto, and winding the composite strip upon the take-up roll. It is now appropriate to describe means for applying the unspun fibres or filaments to the fabric. a

In some instances it may be desirable to reinforce the fabric by unspun fibres or filament-s extending longitudinally of the paper or fabric. Any suitable means may be provided to accomplish this, one good form of mechanism being shown in our copending application referred to.

It will suflice for the pur )oses of the pres ent invention to show an describe a sim ple form of mechanism for applying the unspun fibres to the fabric longitudinally thereof.

This mechanism, in the present instance, comprises cans or receptacles 59 (Fig. 1) to contain a supply of rovings. These rovings may be led upward through holes in a table 61, and thence over said table between a pair of rolls 63 and 65.

Mounted on the main machine frame the roving feeding ormoving means. In the present instance of the invention, this means comprises two rolls including an upper fluted roll 67 and alower fluted roll 69. The lower flutedroll may be connected to a sprocket wheel 71 which may be connected by a sprocket chain 7 3 with a sprocket wheel 75, secured to a transverse shaft 77 journalled in bearings mounted in the machine frame. wheel 79 fast thereon engaged by a worm 81 on an upright shaft 83 driven from suitable power actuated means. In the present instance, the worm shaft has a pulley) 85 at the upper end thereof connected y a sit 87 with a pulley 89 on a line shaft. 91. The upper fluted roll 67 may be driven b its meshing engagement with the lower fiiited roll 69. The upper fluted roll may be carr ed in journal boxes 93 mounted in uprights 95, and may be yieldingly and feedin The shaft 77 has a worm' adjustably pressed toward-the lower fluted roll by coil springs 97 and adjusting screws 99. v

The rovings pass between the nip of the rolls 63 and and the nip of the fluted rolls 67 and 69, and are flattened somew at, but it is preferably before applying the fibres of the rovin s to the fabric to be reinforced, to spread the rovings out or distribute the fibres into a sheet form. This may be done in various ways, in the presentinstance, bypassing the .fibres beneath a. sheet forming or spreader bar 101 (Fig. 1) carried by the uprights 95 referred to, somewhat in. advance of the fluted rolls. After the rovings pass between the fluted rolls, they are slightly spread out by the pressure of said rolls upon them, and are then further spread out by the bar 101, and distributed laterally into sheet formation.

In some cases, after the fibres have been distributed into sheet formation as described, the may be passed to the nip between the abric or paper feeding rolls 19 and 20 which are preferably driven at a higher speed than the fluted rolls. result, the sheet of fibres will be attenuated, and the fibres will be disposed in proper thickness and mass on the adhesive surface of the fabric or paper to be reinforced. It is preferable, however, to provide means between the fibre sheet forming means and the point of delivery of the fibres to the surface of the fabric or paper to be reinforced, for drawing out or preliminarily attenuating the fibres and retarding them against the pulling incident to the fibres coming into contact with the adhesive surface of the fabric or paper, which, in the present instance, is the nip between the rolls 1a and 20.

This attenuating and retarding means, in the present instance, is in the form of a combing device comprising a shaft 103 (Fig. 1) carrying adjacent the ends thereof sprocket wheels 105, said shaft being mounted in suitable bearings carried by the machine frame. The shaft 77 referred to, has a pair of sprocket wheels 105 adjacent the ends thereof, which are connected bysprocket chains .107 with the sprocket wheels 105. These sprocket chains have Asa links connected by series of transverse for the transverse reinforcement may &

and place the fibres in substantially parallel relation.

The rolls 19 and 20 referred to, are adapted to receive the fibres from the combing device, and preferably are driven at a higher speed than the combing device. The consequence is that the fibres when caught in the nip between the rolls 19 and 20 and applied to the paper passing between the nip of the rolls, are further drawn with draft between the teeth or pins-of the combs, and the sheet of fibres is further attenuated and brought to the proper de ree of thin- [less for application to the fabric.

The fibres are thus applied longitudinally of the strip or fabric a, and are held by the adhesive on the upper face of the strip.

The present invention contemplates that unspun fibres r filaments shall be applied to the strip or strips of paper or fabric transversely to the direction of the length thereof. In the present instance, the transverse fibres or filaments are applied to the paper strip a after longitudinal fibres or filamentshave been applied thereto, although it will be understood that in some cases the transversefibres or filaments may be applied to a strip of paper or fabric which is not supplied with longitudinal reenforcing fibres or filaments.

In the present instance of the invention, the transverse fibres or filaments are applied to the strip a as it passes from the feed rolls 19 and to the rolls 47 and 49.

The rovings supplying the unspun fibrg: flattened, spread out and attenuated into a sheet of the desired thickness by mechanism similar to that already described in respect to the fibres for longitudinal application to the fabric, and therefore, it is unnecessa 4 to show and describe the same in detail herein.

The fibres are conducted by a combing device '(Fig. 2) comprising a pair of sprocket wheels 113 fast on a shaft 115' journalled in suitable bearings mounted on the machine frame. wheels 117 are mounted fast on a shaft 119 journalled in suitable bearings mounted on the machine frame. The shaft 119 has a worm wheel 121 fast thereon meshing with a worm 123 on an upright shaft 125 which may be driven by suitable connections from a line shaft.

The sprocket wheels.113 and 117 may be connected by sprocket chains 127 carrying corln'b bars 129 provided with teeth or pins 13 This combing device may receive and attenuate the fibres and convey the same transversely to the path of feed of the paper or fabric to be reinforced.

The fibres may be conducted from the combing device between an upper feed roll A pair of sprocket 133 and a lower feed roll'135 journalled in bearings mounted in uprights 137 mounted on the machine frame. The. upper roll 133 and the lower roll may be connected by intermeshing ears 139 and 141, and the upper feed roll 133 may be provided with a pulley 143 which may be driven by a' belt. from a line shaft. The upper feed roll 133 may be yieldingly and adplstably pressed toward its companion roll' 135 by coil springs 145 confined between the journal boxes for the upper roll and adjusting screws147. The feed rolls 133 and 135 are preferably driven at a higher speed than the combing device to attenuate the sheet of fibres and straighten the same.

After the sheet of unspun fibres has been fed between the feed rolls 133 and 135, it is desirable that the sheet of fibres shallhe severed at intervals transversely thereof into sections, substantially corresponding in length to the width of the strip of paper or fabric to be reinforced by fibres. Any suitable means may be provided for this purpose, in the present instance, comprising a knife 149 (Figs. 5 and 6) secured by screw bolts 151 in a recess in a cylinder 153 jour-- nalled in bearings in uprights 155 mounted on the machine frame.' The circumference of this cylinder may equal the length of the section of the sheet of unspun fibres for gplication to the fabric to be reinforced.

operating with the knife 14.9 is an anvil knife 157 secured by screw bolts 159 to a bar 161 carried by brackets 163 on a shaft- 165. These brackets and the shaft may be.

susceptibleof a rocking ad ustment properly to position the anvil knife in respect to the rotatable knife.

Suitable means may be provided to carry.

and convey the sheet of 135 on toward the path of the fabric to be reinforced and In a dirertion transversely thereof. This means, in the present instance. comprises a pair of s rocket chains 167 (Figs. 5 and 6) connecte by rods 169 spaced lit-intervals for a purpose to be described. These sprocket chains are also carried by a pair of sprocket wheels 173 fast on a shaft 175 journalled in suitable bearings in the machine frame. guided about idler sprocket wheels 17'? carried by rock arms 179 fulcrumedon supports 181'. (Joil springs 183 have ends connected to the rock arms 179, and ends connected to parts of the machine frame. The construction is such that the coil springs tend to rock the arms 179 in a direction to cause the idler sprocket wheels 177 to maintain the proper tension on the sprocket chains 167. I

Between the sprocket wheels 171. aroll 185 may be rovided having longitudinal grooves therein atproper intervals to re- The sprocket chains may be let ceive the transverse rods 169 of the sprocket chains as-said rods pass around said roll. Mounted above the roll 185 is an idler roll 187 adapted to rest on and press the fibres toward the roll 185 as they pass between said rolls.

The fibres are conveyed by the carrier described over the anvil knife 157, and in the course of the rotation of the cylinder 153, the knife 149 thereof will sever the sheet of unspun fibres transversely to the length thereof.

To further contribute to proper retention of the unspun fibres on the carrier, a lower roll 189 may be provided beneath the upper run of the carrier, and having longitudinal grooves 191 for receiving the rods 169, said roll being mounted in suitable bearings carried by the machine frame. Above and cooperating with the lower roll 189 is an idler roll 193 adapted to rest on the fibres and prevent substantial displacement of the fibres on the carrier as the fibres pass between the rolls.

Suitable means may be provided to take the successive sheet sect-ions of unspun fibres and to convey the same acros the path of the strip of fabric or paper to be reinforced. In the present instance, the sheet sections are carried over the fabric or sheet to be reinforced. v

This means, in thizxgresent instance, comprises a pair of spr et chains 195 (Figs. 3. 4, 5 and 6) connecting sprocket wheels 197 and 199. The splrocket wheels 197 are mounted fast on a, s aft 201 journalled in suitable bearings in the machine frame, and the spro ket wheels 199 are mounted fast on a shaft 203 journalled in suitable bearings in the machine frame.

Comb bars 205 extend transversely to the machine frame, and are connected to the sprocket chains 195 at suitable intervals, said comb bars being provided with teeth. or pins 207 closely dis osed in rows, and desirably the teeth or pins of the rows are in staggered relation, the arrangement being such that the pins or teeth will have suffic ent frictional engagement with the unspun fibres to hold the same during the lower run of the comb carrier, as more fully hereinafter described.

Suitable means may be provided properly to tension the sprocket chains, this means, in the presentinstance, being in the form of idler sprocket wheels 209.0n a shaft 211- mounted on bra kets 213 supported by inclined arms 215 pivoted on bolts 217 secured to the frame. Adjusting screws 219 may be threaded into the brackets and bear on side members of thev frame, the construction being such that the brackets and arms may be rocked about the bolts 215 as fulchra to.

raise or lower the idler sprocket chains. 209 as desired.

Suitable means may be rovided for driving the comb carrier. T is means, in the resent instance, comprises a sprocket wheel 221 (Fig. 5) fast on the shaft 201 referred to, connected by a sprocket chain 223 (Figs. 2 and 5) with a sprocket wheel 227 fast on a shaft 229 journalled in bearings in brackets 231 on said members of the machine frame. Fast on the shaft 229 is a pulley 233 connected by a belt 235 with a pulley 237 adjacent the drive pulley 143 for the feed roll 133 referred to.

In the present instance of the invention, to

drive the rotary cutter cylinder 153, a

s rocket whee-l 239 (Figs. 2 and 6) fast on t e shaft 201, is connected by a sprocket chain 241 with a sprocket wheel 243 fast on the shaft for the cutter cylinder. An idler sprocket Wheel 245 may be mounted on a stub shaft 247 on an upright 249 rising from the machine frame, and said sprocket wheel may be adjusted to tension the sprocket chain 241 as desired.

Suitable means may be provided to rotate the sprocket chains 167 of the rod carrier, this means, in the present instance, compris ing a sprocket wheel 251 (Fig. 5) on a shaft 253 mounted on the machine frame, said sprocket wheel 251 being in engagement with the sprocket chain 225 for driving the comb carrier sprocket chains 195 referred to.

Fast on the shaft 253 is a gear 255 meshing with a pinion 257 on the sprocket wheel shaft 175 referred to. The construction is such that when the sprocket chain 223 is driven, it will rotate the sprocket wheel 251, and through the gears 255 and 257, the shaft 175 will be rotated, thereby driving the rod carrier 167.

Suitable means may be provided to drive the longitudinally grooved roll 189 referred to. To accomplish this, in the esent instance, said roll may be provi ed with a sprocket wheel 259 (Fig. 2) connected by a sprocket chain 261 with a sprocket wheel 263 on the shaft175 referred to. To tension the sprocket chain 261, an idler sprocket wheel 265 may be provided on an arm 267 connected by a bolt 269 with a part of the machine frame. This arm may be angularly adjusted to raise or lower the idler sprocket wheel 265 properly to adjust the tension of the sprocket chain 261, and then the. arm may be secured by tightening the bolt 269.

The spacing of the combs 205 is such that too in the course of the travel thereof, they may .enter in between the rods 169 of the carrier sprocket chains 167 and cause the teeth of the Y combs to move downward between the unspun, fibres of the sheet section conveyed by the rod carrier 167.

" As the combs travel downward on contraas occupied by the combs 205 and 205 shown in Fig. 5. When the combs have prograssed further, they will come into parallel relation as represented by the relation of the combs 205 and 205 in Fig. 5. In moving into the latter or parallel relation, the distance between the teeth of the combs will be shortened, and therefore, it is desirable thatthe teeth of the trailing comb shall be able to comb through or slide relatively to the unspun fibres without puckering the length of fibres between adjacent combs or disturbing their substantial parallel relation. Therefore, it is desirable that the fibres shall remain adjacent the tips of the comb teeth from the time the teeth enter'between the fibresv and adjacent combs have moved from the diverging to the parallel relation referred to.

sprocket wheels 173. This may be conven iently accomplished by shoes 271 (Fig. 5) mounted on parts of themachine frame and engaging the upper surfaces of the sprocket chains 167.

In the course of the transit of the sprocket chains from the shoes 271 upward over the sprocket wheels 173, the angularity thereof is such that the fibres are thrust from the tips of the comb teeth toward the comb bars carrying the teeth. This increases the frietional efiect between the teeth a-nd the fibres, so that the fibres will be held by the combs and in substantial parallel relation.

In the course of thetravel of the comb carrier 195, the fibres of the sheet section are transferred from the rod carrier 167 to the combs of the carrier 195, and they are conveyed thence over and transversely to the path of the paper or fibre strip 0:, as will be noted in Figs. 2 and 6.

The length of the fibre sheet section, as stated, is substantially the same as the width of the sheet a to be reinforced b unspun fibres. When the sheet section has een conveyed by the comb carrier 195, so that the opposite ends of the sheet section substantial y register with the edges of the sheet or strip a to be reinforced, it is desirable that the sheet sections shall be released from the comb carrier 195 anddeposited on the sheet or strip a.

Suitable means may be provided to release the fibres ofthe sheet section from the comb carrier. This means, in the present instance, comprises a pair of cam plates 273 (Figs. 2, 3., 4 and 6), in the present instance, having saw-like teeth 274 projecting downward therefrom. These cam plates are secured to arms 275 pivotally mounted on L- ehaped arms 277 secured to side members of the machine frame. These cam plates are urged inward toward substantially vertical position by coil springs 279 having their ends connected by I-bolts 281 secured to the cam plates, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Suitable means may be provided to cooperate with these cam lates and release the fibres of the sheet section from the com'bs of the carrier 195. This means, in the-present instances, comprises dofier devices 283 conveniently in the form of bars extending transversely of the machine and between rows of teeth of the combs. Each of these bars may have a pair of wires 285 secured thereto and extending along the outer rows of the teeth of the combs, The ends of these bars may extend beyond the teeth and into elongated slots 2800f guide arms 287 secured to and projecting from the comb bars 205. These dofi'er devices may be urged inward toward the bars 205 by suitable means, in the present instance, in the form of leaf springs 289 having ends connected to the bars 205' and ends connected to the bars 283.

be brought into operative relation with respect to the dofi'er bars 283 to release the It is desirable that the. cam plates shall fibres of the sheet section from the comb carrier when said section has reached its proper position above the sheet or strip a to be reinforced.

The comb bars may be rocked inward toward one another from their sitions shown in Fig. 3 to their positions s own in Fig. '4, and when in this position, progressive movement ofithe comb carrier 195 will cause the terminals of the dofi'er bars 283 to wipe alon the comb teeth of the cam plates, and the olfer devices will then thrust the fibres downward along and between the teeth of the combs and release the fibres therefrom.

To hold the cam lates outward to their positions shown in ig. 3, where the are out of range of the terminalsof the offer bars 283, suitable means may be provided, in the present instance, in the form of bevelled lugs 290 secured to the comb sprocket chains 195 with a s acing which is somewhat greater than t e length of the cam plates.

The construction is such that in the course of travel of the comb sprocket chains 195, the bevelled lu sv 290 will wipe along the cam ,plates and ii 1d the same in their outward positions where they are out of range of the dofier bars 283. They will continue to do this until an advancing lug 290 shall have escaped from the cam late. Thereupon, the coil springs 279 will become effective to rock the cam plates inward, and slight further advance of the comb carrier will cause the terminals of the dofi'er bars 283 to wipe alon the saw teeth-274 of the cam plates and re ease the fibres of the sheet section from the combs. After a sheet section has been released and deposited on the verse to the ends of the fibres thereof are substantially in r istration with the sheet to be reinforce they will be deposited on the latter next to the previously deposited fibre sheet Thus, the unspun fibres may .be progressively applied to the sheet to be reinforced with substantial uniformity throughout the length of said sheet, and the transverse fibres will be controlled and maintained in substantial parallel relation up to the time when they are deposited on section.

' the sheet to be reinforced.

By our invention, an efficient, commercially practicable machine is provided for rapidly applying loose independent filaments, in the present instance, fibres in substantial- 1y parallel relation to a fabric transversely to the direction of the length thereof.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced, means for feeding reenforcing filaments transversely to the path of feed of the fabric into position to be applied to the fabric, and means for releasing the reenforcing filaments from their feeding means before they are applied and then applying the same to the fabric transversely thereof.

2. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced, mean to feed loose non-continuous filaments in substantial parallel relation in a direction transdirection of feed of the fabric, means to sever the sheet of filaments to form sections, and means rogressively to apply the sections to the fa ric transversely there-' 3. A machine of the character described, comprising. in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by filaments, means continuously to feed non-continuous filaments in substantially parallel relation, in a direction transverse to the path of feed of the fabric, and means to apply the filaments to the fabric transversely thereof while the fabric is in motion.

4. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeds gressively to feed sheet sections of loose noncontinuous fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the fabric, and means to apply the sections composed of loose fibres progressively to the fabric transversely to the latter.

A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feed ing a fabric to be reinforced, means for feeding an attenuated sheet of unspun fibres transversely to the feed of the fabric, means to sever the sheet of fibres to form sections,

means to receive the several sections, and

means to transfer the fibre sections from the receiving means to the fabric transversely thereof.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by unspun filaments, means including a comb device for feeding the filaments while in substantially parallel relation transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, means to sever the filaments at intervals to form sections, and means to apply the sections to the, fabric transversely to the latter.

7 A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means including an endless carrier having combs-thereon for feeding the un'- spun fibres transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, and means including an andless carrier having combs thereon for receiving the unspun fibres and applying the same to the fabric transversely t ereof.

8. A machine of the character described,

fabric to be reinforced, means procomprising, in combination, means for feed-" ing a fabric to be reinforced by uns un fibres, means for feeding'the unspun fi res transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, and means for applying the fibres while in the loose state in successive groups to the fabric transversely to the fabric while the latter is in motion.

9. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by filaments, means for feeding a sheet of the reenforcing filaments in a direction transversely to the path offeed of the fabric, means for severmg the filaments while in motion to form groups of filaments of a length substantially corresponding to the width of the fabric, and means for receiving the successive groups of filaments and for applying the same to the fabric transversely to the length of the latter.

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means for'feeding a sheet of unspun ath of feed of the fabric, an endless carrier avirlg combs thereon firovided with teeth a apted to project t rough the sheet of fibres to frictlonally hold the fibres and convs the same across the fabric, and means to re ease the fibres from the teeth of the combs to apply the fibres to the fabric transversely thereof.

11. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding .a fabric. to be reinforced by unspun fibres, and means for applying the unspun fibres to the fabric transversel thereof, comprising an endless carrier having comb teeth thereon adapted to receive and hold the fibres between the comb teeth, and means to dofi the fibres from the teeth to apply the same to the fabric.

12. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by uns un fibres, and means for ap lying unspun fi res to the fabric t-ransversel ing an endless carrier movable across the path of feed of the fabric and having comb teeth for receiving and frictionally holding the fibres over the fabric, and means for refibres in a direction transverse to the leasing the fibres from the comb teeth when the fibres have been carried across the fabric. 13. machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feedmg a fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means for fcedin loose unspun fibres in substantially parallel relation in a direc-. tion transverse to the path of feed of the fabric, means for severing the sheet of fibres to form sections substantially correspondin to the width of fabric to be reinforced, an a comb device for receiving the sections and feeding the same across the the fabric. 14. machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feedmg a fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means for feeding a sheet of unspun fibres in substantially parallel relation in a direction transverse to the path of feed of the fabric, means for severing the sheet of fibres to form sections of fibres, a carrier for feeding the sections of fibres, from the severing means toward the fabric, and means to engage the fibres of the sections, maintain the'fibres in substantially parallel relation,

7 and deposit the fibres while in this relation on the fabric.

15. A machine of the character described, comprising in combination, means for feeding the fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means for feeding a sheet of'unspun fibres in substantially parallel'relation transversely to the path of feed of the fabric,

y thereof, compris-.

path of feed of means for severing the sheet of unspun fibres at intervals to form sections of fibres of a len th substantially corresponding to the widt an endless carrier having transverse members spaced at intervals or supporting the sections of'fibres and feedin the same toward the fabric to be rein orced, and an endless carrier having combs thereon adapted to project between the fibres and through the spaces between the transverse members of the carrier for the sections of fibres, and to transfer the sections of fibres to the fabric to be reinforced.

16. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means for feeding a sheet of unspun fibres in a direction transverse to the path of feed of the fabric, means for severing the sheet of unspun fibres at intervals to form sections, va carrier having combs thereon for receiving the unspun fibres from their feeding means and for conveying the fibres across the path of feed of the fabric, dofi'er bars for the combs, and means cooperatin with the dofier bars automatically to trans er the fibres from the combs to the fabric.

17. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feedof the fabric to be reinforced,

ing a fabric to be reinforced by filaments,

means for progressively feeding sections of loose filaments in substantially arallel relation transversely to the-path 0 feed of the fabric, and a comb device having teeth for progressive] receivin the sections of filaments and or conveying the filaments into position for deposit on the fabric to be reinforced.

18. A machine of the character described,

comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric having an adhesive coating thereon, means for rogressivel feeding sections of unspun res in su stantially parallel relation transversely to the direction of feed of the fabric, and means progressively to transfer the sections composed of loose filaments to the adhesive coating of the fabric transversely tothe direction of the length of the fabric.

20. A- machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means for applying an adhesive to the comprising,

' comprising,

fabric, means for feeding a sheet of unspun fibres in substantially parallel relation transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, means for severing the sheet of fibres at intervals to form sections of fibres of a length substantially corresponding to the width of the fabric, and means for applying the sections of unspun fibres to the adhesive face of the fabric transversely to the direction of the length thereof. 1

21. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feed in a fabric to be reinforced b filaments, means for feeding a sheet of laments in substantially parallel relation in a direction transverse to the path of feed of the fabric, means for severing the sheet of filaments at intervals to form sections of filaments, andmeans to frictionally engage the filaments of the sections, hold the same in substantially parallel relation and convey the same across the fabric, and means to release the filaments from the frictional holding means to deposit the filaments on the fabric.

22. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by unspun fibres, means for feedin the sheet of unspunv fibres in substantially parallel. relation transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, a rotary cutter for severing the sheet of fibres to form sections of fibres of a len h substantially corresponding to the wi th of the fabric, and means for applying the'sections of fibres to the fabric including an endless carrier extending across the path of feed of the fabric and having comb teeth fibres of the sect-ions and frictionally support the fibres in substantially paralle relation.

23. A machine of the character described,

in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by filaments, and means for applying filaments to the fabric transversely thereof includin an end less carrier extending across the path of feed of the fabric and having comb teeth to re-' ceive the filaments and convey the same in the course of the lower run of the carrier over the fabric to be reinforced.

24. A machine of the character described,

in combination, means for continuously feeding a fabric to be reinforced,

means for continuousl feeding sheet sections of loose unspun bres in substantially arallel relation transversely to the direction of feed of the fabric, and means for successively applying the sections composed of loose fibres to the fabric while the latter is beiiig fed continuously; I

, 25. machine of the aracter described, comprising, in' combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced, means for feeding a second fabric, means to apply; an

adapted to project between the p I the latter may slide along the cam plates.

1 and dofi' the filaments from the bombs o t the fabric Y to the path of feed of the fabric, an endless carrier having comb teeth thereon to project between thefilaments and frictionally hold the same, said carrier extending across the path of feed of the fabric, dofl'er devices for the comb, and' means co-operating with the doii'er dev1ces to thrust the filaments from the teeth as the latter move transversely of the fabric to be reinforced.

27. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by filaments, means for feeding a sheet of loose in substantially parallel relation transversely to the path of feed of the fabric, means to sever the sheet of filaments at intervals to form sections of filaments of a lenglth substantially corresponding to the widt of the fabric, a carrier having combs adapted to project between and frictionally hold the laments of the sections, dofier bars associated with the comb cam plates co-operating with the dofier bars, and means automatically intermittently to move the cam lates into the range of the dofier bars, that filaments thereof and to apply 28. A machine of the character described I comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by filaments, means for feeding a sheet of filaments in substantially parallel relation in a direct1on transverse to the path of feed of the fabric to a position above and in spaced relation to the fabric, and means for forcing the sheet of filaments ment with the feeding means to them upon the fabric.

29. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, means for feeding a fabric to be reinforced by filaments, means for feeding a sheet of filaments in substantially para lel relation in a direction transverse to the path of feed of the fabric to a position opposite one face of'the fabric and in spaced relation thereto, and means for forcing the gagement with said feeding means and onto the fabric.

30. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feeddeposit downward out of engage,

sheet of filaments out of ening a fabric to be reinforced b filaments, means for feeding a sheet of laments in substantially parallel relation in a direction transverse to the path of feed of the fabric, means for carrying the sheet of filaments to a position above the fabric and for supporting the filaments at a multiplicit of points directly above the fabric, and do ng means for forcing the sheet of filaments out of engagement with the supporting means and upon said fabric. a

- 31. A machine of the character described, comprising, in combination, means for feed ing a fabric to be reinforced by filaments,

means for feeding asheet of filaments in substantially parallel relation in a direction transverse to the path of feed of the fabric, means for supporting the filaments in a suspended state and for advancing them while thus supported crosswise of the fabric to a position directly over the same, and means for depositing the suspended filaments upon the fabric.

32. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, means for feeding a sheet of paper in the direction of its length, means for feeding a sheet of unspun fibres transversely to the direction of travel of the sheet of paper, means for cutting the sheet of fibres transversely into lengths substantially equal to the width ofthe paper, and means for applying the cut fibres transversely of the paper.

33. A machine of the character described comprising, in combination, means for feeding a sheet of paper in the direction of its length, means for feeding a sheet of se arate filaments transversely to the direction of travel of the sheet of paper to a position directly over said paper, means for cutting the sheet of filaments into lengths substan tially equal to the width of thepaper, and means for successively depositing the cut sections of the sheet of filaments upon the paper. I

34. In a machine for reenforcingpaper by unspun fibres extending transversely thereof, the combination of paper feeding means for feeding a strip of paper having an adhesive surface in the direction of its length mechanism for feeding loose unspun fibres disposed side by side to form a t 'n sheet of substantially the same thickness as one of the fibres forming the sheet in a direction transversely to the paper strip, means for severing the sheet ofunspun fibres from the source of su ply, and means for applying the sheet of bres to the adhesive face of the paper.

85. In a machine for reenforcing paper, in combination, means for feeding a sheet of paper to be reinforced, means for applying unspun fibres to the paper longitudinally thereof, means for feeding sheet sections of loose unspun fibres in a path transverse to the direction of feed of the paper, and means for applying said sections of fibres to the paper transversely thereof and transversely of the fibres applied longitudinally of the paper. 7 36. In a. machine for reenforcing paper, in combination, means for feeding a sheet of paper and for applying adhesive to a surface thercol, means for feeding a sheet of unspun fibres transversely to the sheet of paper and for pplying the fibres transversely of the adhesive face of the paper, means for feeding a second sheet of paper and for applying adhesive to a' surface thereof, and means for applying the adhesive. surface of the second sheet of paper to the fibres secured transversely of the first sheet of paper.

37. In a machine for reenforcing paper, in combination, means for feeding a sheet of paper having an adhesive covered surface, means for feeding a sheet formed of unspun substantially parallel fibres transversely to the sheet of paper and for applying the fibres transversely of the ad hesive surface of the paper, and means for feeding a second sheet of paper having an adhesive covered surface and for applying the adhesive surface of the second sheet of paper to the fibres secured transversely upon the first sheet.

names to this specification.

- CHARLES H. HOWARD.

LEWIS SHARP.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our 

